Little_prince Supersonic January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 The Straits Times www.straitstimes.com Published on Jan 29, 2011 http://www.straitstimes.com/print/ST...ry_629462.html THE CASE Worker served with $147,000 C-class bill I HAD an accident at work last June. Initially, the interim hospital bill from the National University Hospital indicated a subsidy. But when the final bill was given to me, I was shocked. The bill for my stay at a C-class ward amounted to an unsubsidised total of $147,000. I was discharged on Aug 13 last year and the reason for the difference between what was stated in the interim bill and the final one was not explained at all. Only after I asked was I told that the Ministry of Health had withdrawn the subsidy as the accident was work- related. About a month after my discharge, I applied for a waiver of the outstanding amount of about $122,000 through my MP. This was after my company had paid $25,000. As far as I am aware, the hospital did not reply to the appeal. Three months later, after more deductions from my MediShield ($41,000) and Medisave accounts ($31,000), I was informed that the hospital was in the process of scheduling an instalment payment plan for the remaining $50,000. Needless to say, my family and I are plagued by anxiety. I am 54 years old and work in the construction sector; my wife works part-time and my daughters are still in their teens. How can an average Singaporean worker like me support a family, pay off a huge hospital bill and still find more money to pay for subsequent medical requirements arising from the accident and treatment? If I had been given a subsidy, I would not have been burdened by this unexpectedly trying financial circumstances. Tan Guan Seng ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayleigh 6th Gear January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 The Straits Times www.straitstimes.com Published on Jan 29, 2011 http://www.straitstimes.com/print/ST...ry_629462.html THE CASE Worker served with $147,000 C-class bill I HAD an accident at work last June. Initially, the interim hospital bill from the National University Hospital indicated a subsidy. But when the final bill was given to me, I was shocked. The bill for my stay at a C-class ward amounted to an unsubsidised total of $147,000. I was discharged on Aug 13 last year and the reason for the difference between what was stated in the interim bill and the final one was not explained at all. Only after I asked was I told that the Ministry of Health had withdrawn the subsidy as the accident was work- related. About a month after my discharge, I applied for a waiver of the outstanding amount of about $122,000 through my MP. This was after my company had paid $25,000. As far as I am aware, the hospital did not reply to the appeal. Three months later, after more deductions from my MediShield ($41,000) and Medisave accounts ($31,000), I was informed that the hospital was in the process of scheduling an instalment payment plan for the remaining $50,000. Needless to say, my family and I are plagued by anxiety. I am 54 years old and work in the construction sector; my wife works part-time and my daughters are still in their teens. How can an average Singaporean worker like me support a family, pay off a huge hospital bill and still find more money to pay for subsequent medical requirements arising from the accident and treatment? If I had been given a subsidy, I would not have been burdened by this unexpectedly trying financial circumstances. Tan Guan Seng To be fair and avoid framing the scenario, you should post the reply from the Hospital with regards to the case of Mr Tan. The hospital has given a more detail report. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokyman 1st Gear January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 This sucks ..... btw how the ministar pay $8? Insurance? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celicar Turbocharged January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 There was a reply from the hospital just below this letter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little_prince Supersonic January 31, 2011 Author Share January 31, 2011 There was a reply from the hospital just below this letter. can post the reply from hospital? i cut and paste from hwz nia Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avant_stealth Clutched January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 if work related, then ask hospistar n company settle wit each other lor. if nt work related, mayb subsidy then again, given his job nature he no insurance? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangadrool Supersonic January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 Ya, very strange how come he got no insurance from his company. If gahment already mandate all maids must have medical insurance, why not local workers? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollagt 5th Gear January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 Eh..unsubsidized ? Thot SGeans got govt heavy subsidy. $147K for a C-Class ward ? No wonder Doctors are getting richer and richer ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangadrool Supersonic January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 $147K can buy a C-Class. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little_prince Supersonic January 31, 2011 Author Share January 31, 2011 if work related, then ask hospistar n company settle wit each other lor. if nt work related, mayb subsidy then again, given his job nature he no insurance? maybe insurance didn't cover everything lor someone post the hospital reply? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLZT 6th Gear January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 This sucks ..... btw how the ministar pay $8? Insurance? He pay using his medisave, but with his world class minister pay, his medisave also sure gao gao one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loo 2nd Gear January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 Ya, very strange how come he got no insurance from his company. If gahment already mandate all maids must have medical insurance, why not local workers? go after the company lor. at least i think he should be covered by the workmen compensation insurance unless he carried out some works which like scafolding which will be excluded if above XX metres from the ground... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sosaria Twincharged January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 I think the hospital posted a reply in the newspapers also. But what's interesting is to find out why one person can pay $8, and another person, $147,000. What are the differing factors? Insurance coverage? Type of treatment? Hospital chosen? Facilities chosen? Basically want cheap hospital bill, must also suffer paying relatively high health insurance premiums. What I know is that it can amount to thousands of dollars each year in premiums for a family plus children. Some people may think it's not worth to spend so much money on things that may never happen?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngck 3rd Gear January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 go after the company lor. at least i think he should be covered by the workmen compensation insurance unless he carried out some works which like scafolding which will be excluded if above XX metres from the ground... workplace insurance covers only 25k.... the rest he still have to fork out Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman888 Moderator January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 heard he was in ICU for more than a month.... that why so high Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer69 Clutched January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 (edited) go after the company lor. at least i think he should be covered by the workmen compensation insurance unless he carried out some works which like scafolding which will be excluded if above XX metres from the ground... now call WICA -> WORK INJURY COMPENSATION ACT. employees, regardless of salary range, is "by right" mandatory to be protected under WICA. medishield cover not enough deh. he should have bought those private "integrated shield plan" using medisave to pay, unless he got existing illness/ cannot buy, then is LL. HE will at most pay 10% of total bill and a deductible, max $3000. I think Mr. Khaw bought the full package, FOC when admitted to hospital, but need to pay premium in cash (<$50) monthly, which is cheap....looking at nowadays hospital bills. admitting to hospital is like sending your accident car to WS.....tok tok tok Edited January 31, 2011 by Summer69 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfy3769 2nd Gear January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 could the minister had a CSC card or something like that... u see doc.. government pick up the bill.. also i think that guy beside the $8, also had some medicsave/medicshield coverage... nowaday.. simple operation can set u back Ks of dollar...so dont tell me that spore medical is affordable... so everyone must stay active and be healthy... u r only a sickness away from bankruptcy.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer69 Clutched January 31, 2011 Share January 31, 2011 could the minister had a CSC card or something like that... u see doc.. government pick up the bill.. also i think that guy beside the $8, also had some medicsave/medicshield coverage... nowaday.. simple operation can set u back Ks of dollar...so dont tell me that spore medical is affordable... so everyone must stay active and be healthy... u r only a sickness away from bankruptcy.. nowadays I think no more for civil servants, i think cannot tahan the bills from those old retirees now claiming from gahmen. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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